Driving mechanism for slicing machines



Feb. 10, 1931. c. F. M. VAN BERKEL DRIVING- MECHANISM F011 SLICING-MACHINES Filed Oct. 28

Patented Feb. 10, 1931 UNITED S S A NT creme;

GORNELIS FnANo IsoUs MARIA VAN BERKEL, OF WASSENAAR, NETHERLANDS; AS-

srsnoza TO U. s. SLIGING MACHINE COMPANY,-O;F LA FORTE, INDIANA, -A come- RATION 0F INDIAIIA DRIVING MECHANISM non snroniev MACHINES:

Application-filed October as, weasel-m1 No. azasee, and in Gerniany'necember 23.19.26, I

-This invention relates to machines for slicing meat and other commodities, and has for its obj ectthe provision of driving mechanism for 'such machines in which different portions of the slicing machine may be operated independently of other portions;

More specifically the object of the invention is to provide a slicing machine having a reciprocating table and rotary slicing knife in which either the table or the knife may be operated while the other part remains stationary.

Further objects and advantages will appear from the following description.

The invention is exemplified in the combination and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawing and described in the following specification, and it is more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a slicing machine having one embodiment of the present invention applied thereto; and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section of the releasable clutch for operating the reciprocating table.

In slicing machines having rotary slicing knives and reciprocating tables it is frequently desirable to be able to rotate the knife while the table remains stationary.-

' This enables the operator to conveniently sharpen the knife or clean the same while the table is positioned at one side of the knife where the surface of the. table or material deposited thereon will not be soiled by particles dropping from the sharpening or cleaning device. Again it is frequently desirable to reciprocate the table while the knife remains stationary. This is especially advantageous in slicing materials, such as cheese, which would tend to smear and break if the knife were rotated while the material is being sliced. I In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the numeral 10 designates a base having guides 11 thereon for supporting a reciprocating table 12. A hand wheel 13 is arranged to rotate a shaft 14:

which is connectedby a pinion 15 with a gear 16. The gear 16' is. rotatably mounted on a shaft 17,130 which .a crank arm 1 8 is' fixed. --The arm 18 is connected by a connectingfrod' 19 withthetable 12. A Sec ond pini'o'ni20 meshes with thegear 16 and is mountedon a shaft '21 having a sprocket 22 at itsfouter end which is connected by- -a sprocket chain to thefslicing knife 23. 'A

collar 24 is fixed to the shaft 17' adjacent the hub; of" the gear 1 6' and the collar 24 and hub of the gear are preferably of the same diameter. A'helical spring25 surrounds the collar and hub and one end of the. spring is attached at 2-6 to the collar 24. The op posite end of] the springis attached at 27 toa ratchet wheel 28 freely rotatable on the: V

hub of the gear 16'; A pin 29 is disposed adjacent the ratchet wheel 28, inposition to engage the ratchet teeth thereon. 5 The pin is normally held out of contact with the ratchetteeth by a spring 3'0 but;' may be movedinto engagement with the teeth 'byacam lug 31 onan operating bar 32 sli'dably mounted beneath the t ble 10/ The ban-32 is provided with a knob- 33 and notches-'34, 35 and 36 for holding-the'bar indifferent adjusted positions longitudinally thereof.

l/Vhen the parts are in the position shown in the drawing, rotation of'the hand wheel will be transmitted to the gear 16 and 'the frictional contact of" the spring 25 with the hub of'the gear 16' and the collar 24 will transmit the movement to the shaft 17, which will be rotated to reciprocate the table 12. If the knob 33 is pressed inwardlyunti-l the notch.

35' takes the position of'the notch 34 in Fig. 1, j

spring 25 will beexpanded, andthe'grip of V the spring upon the hub of the gear 16 will be released. "The gear will now be free to rotate upon the shaft 17 so that the shaft will no longer be driven bythe gear. The gear will continue to drive the pinion 20 and shaft 21,- however, so that the knife 23 will bontinue to rotate, thus permitting the-cleaning or sharpening of the knife while the table. 12iremainsstationary.

A spring clutch 37 similar to that for operating the shaft 17 is interposed between the shaft 20 and the sprocket wheel 22. This clutch 37 is provided with a ratchet wheel 38. hen the knob 33 is pushedinwardly until the notch 36 assumes the position of the notch 34: in Fig. 1,the cam lug 31 will be moved past 7 the pin 29 so that the ratchet wheel 28 will be released and the driving connection restored between the gear 16 and thetable 12. In this position of the knob 33 the end of the rod 32, however, will engage the ratchet wheel 38 and release the clutch which transmits the rotation to the knife 23. In this position the knife will be permitted to remain stationary while the table continuesto reciprocate. It is thus seen that either the table or the knife may be operated while the other remains stationary and that the clutches may be adjusted to release either the-table or the knife while the hand wheel 13 is being rotated;

It will be apparent that various changes in the construction may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 7

I claim:

1. A slicing machine comprising a reciprocating table, a drive forsaid table, a clutch for connecting said table with said drive, said clutch comprising a pair of rotary members, a spring frictionally engaging said members and held in contact therewith by the spring tensioathereof, a ratchet wheel connected with said spring, and means for arresting said ratchet wheel to release the tension of said spring and permit rotation of oneof said members while the other remains stationary.

2. A slicing machine comprising a reciprocating table,'a rotary slicing knife, a drive for said table and knife, separate spring clutches interposed between said drive and said table and knife respectively, and means for independently releasing said clutches to permit operation either of said table or knife while the other remains stationary.

3. A slicing machine comprising a reciprocating table, a rotary shaft for reciprocating said table, a pair of concentric members mounted on said shaft, one of said members being fixed thereto while the other of said members is free to rotate thereon, a helieal spring surrounding said members and frictionally engaging the surfaces thereof, a ratchet wheel secured to one end of said spring, and means for engaging said ratchet wheel to release the frictional engagement of said spring on said members to permit one of said members to rotate independently of said spring.

4:. A slicing machine comprising a reciprocating table, a shaft for operating said table, a gear having a sleeve thereon rotatably mounted on said shaft, a helical spring frictionally engaging said sleeve, said spring having one end thereof attached to said shaft,

' drive for said table and knife, a spring clutch interposed between said table and drive, a ratchet wheel for releasing said clutch, and means operable at will of the operator for engaging said ratchet wheel to cause said ratchet wheel to release said clutch.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification on this eleventh day of October A. D. 1927. l

' CORNELIS FRANCISCUS MARIA van BERKEL. 

